In Business

Danny S. Jones, President and CEO of Security Industries

(Photograph by John Luke.)

Security has become a major focus of American life since 9/11. Industries, including steel mills and utility companies, require such measures as fencing that provides high security and anti-ram capabilities.

Danny S. Jones has guided his Hobart-based company Security Industries to success as a primary vendor for permanent perimeter and temporary construction site fencing as well as commercial and industrial overhead doors and dock equipment. Launched in 2003, Security Industries also offers maintenance, repair and installation services.

“Our business, our industry has changed greatly since 9/11,” says the 52-year old Schererville resident. “We were on the leading edge of that change. We moved at full speed into heavy security fencing and overhead doors.”

Security Industries’ clients include steel mills, refineries, utility facilities, water plants and construction companies.

Industries along Lake Michigan’s shorelines and utilities supplying the power grid and water take possible terrorist targeting seriously, Jones says. Creating security solutions ahead of the curve is the core of his business, he says.

One example of fencing offered by Security Industries is a steel product that provides an ornamental look, but will withstand a 15,000-pound truck ramming the structure at 50 mph and will move only one meter, Jones says. “It will stand up to repeated attempts at ramming and the truck won’t come through.”

Jones brings his own 30 years of experience in industrial fencing, ornamental iron, access controls and overhead doors to his business. He also salutes his staff for their dedication.

Union ironworkers install and maintain the fencing. “We have the finest people working here—in-house, the craftsmen and supervisors. They all pride themselves on giving a better level of service,” he says. And Security Industries personnel are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Despite the economic downturn, Security Industries has continued to grow over the last seven years, although tighter margins are now the rule.

“When we started in 2003, we had four people in the office and 11 in the field. Now we have 11 in the office and 42 in the shop and the field,” he says.

In addition to an excellent staff and much-needed product, Jones credits the examples set by father for Security Industries’ success.

A resident of Hammond’s Hessville section, Lester Jones owned a fencing company for many years. In his youth, Danny Jones worked for his father as an installer, learning the fencing business from the ground up. But Jones said his father gave him more than experience. Lester Jones gave his son roots and life lessons.

“You have to get up every morning like it’s a new day, because it is a new day,” says Danny Jones, quoting his father’s philosophy and work ethic. “You have to do the right thing.”

His work and business have brought Danny Jones numerous awards. For seven years, Security Industries has been given the Safety Achievement Award by the Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable. The company also has earned the BP Safety Excellence Award for four years.

“The Construction Advancement Foundation named us Subcontractor of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007,” Jones says. “No one’s gotten that award two years in a row.”

In 2009, Danny Jones was honored as the Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Development Corp.

Outside of work, Jones says he enjoys water sports, water skiing, high-performance cars and his collection of antique toys and cars.

At 6’6” tall, Jones is a formidable figure, yet his corporate headquarters and his personal office are filled with part of that collection of toy cars and machines from bygone eras and with Disney characters, especially Mickey Mouse. These surroundings bring whimsy to his business life. The toys are also a reminder of his own heritage, and help keep him humble, Jones says.

A photo of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse waits to be framed for display in the front office. The photo bears a famous saying by Disney about his own success that Jones says he endorses and instills in all his employees: “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.”